Himmatwala sells TV rights for Rs. 40 crore

Sajid Khan has recreated the long gone era of Jitendra and Sridevi, stars of the original Himmatwala. From the sets to the the songs and ...

Ajay Devgn's much awaited Himmatwala is slated for release on March 29.

Sonakshi Sinha did her first item number in Himmatwala remake set to release on March 29.

Starring Ajay Devgn and Tammanah, Himmatwala will be released on March 29.

Ajay Devgn in a stil from Himmatwala.

Ajay Devgn gets a grand introduction in this scene from the film's trailers.

As the trailers suggest, the film is a comic take and not a blind remake. The still here shows Ajay Devgn from a scene where ...

The song Naino Me Sapna was also shot in a background similar to the original one. Ajay Devgn in a still from the song in ...

Ajay Devgn’s next, Himmatwala, produced by UTV Motion Pictures, has started raking in the moolah even before the release of the film. An industry source reveals that the deal for the satellite rights of the film has been closed a week before the theatrical release at a figure higher than Rs. 40 crore.

It’s the highest so far for an Ajay starrer.

The source says that around five channels vied for the telecast rights. It was Zee that eventually bagged the rights to premiere the movie and have select runs. “There is a clause, however, that UTV Movies too can have unlimited runs of the film and can further syndicate the movie to other channels,” the source adds.

In the past, television rights for Ajay’s film Bol Bachchan (2011) sold for approximately Rs. 28 crore, Singham (2012) for around Rs. 30 crore and Son Of Sardaar (2012) for approximately Rs. 33 crore.

When contacted, Amrita Pandey, executive director, international distribution, syndication, Disney UTV, says, “Himmatwala is one of this year’s most-awaited movies, and this deal ensures that we derive the best possible overall value for the movie.”

Ajay shares the same sentiment and feels that this move will increase the buzz surrounding the film before its upcoming release. “This landmark deal sets a great benchmark for the satellite values of films and has come at an opportune time for us. It shows the tremendous buzz that Himmatwala has already generated,” says Ajay.

The film is director Sajid Khan’s remake of the Jeetendra-Sridevi starrer Himmatwala (1983). It is set to hit theatres on March 29.

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